From Inflammation to Infertility: How Oxidative Stress and Infections Disrupt Male Reproductive Health
Anastasios Potiris,
Efthalia Moustakli,
Eleni Trismpioti,
Eirini Drakaki,
Despoina Mavrogianni,
Alkis Matsas,
Athanasios Zikopoulos,
Antonios Sfakianakis,
Ioannis Tsakiridis,
Themistoklis Dagklis,
Athanasios Zachariou,
Panagiotis Christopoulos,
Ekaterini Domali,
Peter Drakakis,
Sofoklis Stavros
Affiliations
Anastasios Potiris
Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University General Hospital “ATTIKON”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 124 62 Athens, Greece
Efthalia Moustakli
Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 451 10 Ioannina, Greece
Eleni Trismpioti
First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alexandra Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 28 Athens, Greece
Eirini Drakaki
First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alexandra Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 28 Athens, Greece
Despoina Mavrogianni
First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alexandra Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 28 Athens, Greece
Alkis Matsas
Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research “N.S. Christeas”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece
Athanasios Zikopoulos
Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University General Hospital “ATTIKON”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 124 62 Athens, Greece
Antonios Sfakianakis
Homerton Fertility Centre, Homerton University Hospital, Homerton Row, Clapton, London E9 6SR, UK
Ioannis Tsakiridis
Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, General Hospital Ippokratio, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 546 42 Thessaloniki, Greece
Themistoklis Dagklis
Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, General Hospital Ippokratio, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 546 42 Thessaloniki, Greece
Athanasios Zachariou
Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Ioannina University, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
Panagiotis Christopoulos
Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieion University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 28 Athens, Greece
Ekaterini Domali
First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alexandra Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 28 Athens, Greece
Peter Drakakis
Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University General Hospital “ATTIKON”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 124 62 Athens, Greece
Sofoklis Stavros
Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University General Hospital “ATTIKON”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 124 62 Athens, Greece
Background/Objectives: Inflammation, infections, and oxidative stress (OS) all have an impact on male infertility, which is a complicated, multifaceted illness. OS affects motility and fertilization capability. It accomplishes this through damaging sperm DNA, oxidizing proteins, and triggering lipid peroxidation. These effects occur due to an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defenses. Methods: This review aims to evaluate the impact of oxidative stress and inflammation on male infertility by assessing recent literature. Results: Pro-inflammatory cytokines, like TNF-α and IL-6, interfere with spermatogenesis and promote oxidative damage. Additionally, infections caused by pathogens like Escherichia coli and Chlamydia trachomatis alter the reproductive microenvironment, leading to sperm dysfunction and inflammation. Conclusions: Early detection and targeted treatment are essential due to the intricate interactions among these elements. Microbiota-modulating techniques, antimicrobial therapies, anti-inflammatory drugs, and antioxidants are therapeutic approaches that may help reduce oxidative damage and enhance male fertility.
